THE SPIRIT OF GOD:–
ITS – OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS, TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.
BY ELD. J. H.
WAGGONER.
HAVING RECEIVED OF
THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT, HE HATH SHED FORTH THAT WHICH YE NOW SEE
AND HEA.” ACTS 2:33
— § —
STEAM PRESS OF THE
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION BATTLE CREEK, MICH. 1877
PREFACE
Many good thoughts
have been presented of late years on the subject of the Gifts of the Spirit,
and yet the whole amount that has been written on the perpetuity of the Gifts
in the church is very small indeed, considering the great importance of the
doctrine.
In adding to what
has already been published we have made no attempt to exhaust the evidences,
for on some points our remarks are exceedingly brief; but we have endeavored to
point out what we consider the clearest and weightiest arguments, and to show the
relation of this doctrine to other parts of the gospel.
We call especial
attention to the connection existing between obedience to the Law of God and
the presence of the Gifts of his Spirit. For a long time the churches seem to
have lost sight of this important relation; and consequently antinomianism, and
its constant attendant, vainglorious formality, have been greatly strengthened.
Fortunately the Scriptures give a clear and decided testimony on this subject.
We have also tried to bring out the whole truth presented in Peter’s sermon on
the day of Pentecost, and to show that the perpetuity of the Law of God, and of
the Gifts in the church, is as firmly established by this sermon as is the
continuance of the ordinance of baptism.
As we are living in
the time of the fulfillment of some important prophecies, both on this and on
other subjects,—in a time when a special work of preparation is needed to meet
the Lord Jesus at his coming, the question of the restoration of the Spirit’s
power in the church becomes of unusual interest. Were it not for this power,
for the promised refreshing from the presence of the Lord, no flesh could stand
in that time when Jesus ceases to plead for fallen man, when the sinner can no
more find a mediator whereby to come unto the Father.
Our earnest prayer
is that this feeble effort may be the means of increasing the respect of some
at least for the Gifts of the Spirit, and of awakening an interest in those
scriptures which teach us our dependence on the means appointed for our
sanctification. We strongly desire that the waiting ones may, by the Spirit’s
presence and power, be strengthened to cultivate all the graces of the divine
life, and soon be brought into the unity of the faith of the Present Truth,
that the testimony of Jesus may be confirmed in them so that they shall come
behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our blessed Redeemer. 1 Cor. 1:6,
7.
J. H. W.
Battle Creek
Mich., August 1877
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